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New Delhi: The government on Monday said that talks for proposed trade agreements with the European Union (EU) and the US are still in the discussion stage. India and the US are negotiating a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) and they are aiming to conclude the first phase of the pact by fall (September-October) of this year. Similarly, India and the EU are also negotiating free trade agreements (FTA). "The FTAs, which India is doing, are one of the key enablers to promote global capability centres (GCCs) in the country. The FTA with the UK was just announced on May 6 and with the EU and the US, it is still going on, with the US, discussions are on," commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal said at the CII event here. In June 2022, India and the 27-nation EU bloc resumed negotiations for a comprehensive free trade agreement, an investment protection agreement and a pact on geographical indications (GIs) after a gap of over eight years. It stalled in 2013 due to differences over the level of opening up of the markets. India and the EU are, therefore, aiming to conclude the free trade deal by the end of this year. "Today's agreements are different from the traditional FTAs, which were confined to traditional trade. The new pacts are a more complex set of agreements which include services also," the secretary said. He further said that now there is also an institutional mechanism in these pacts to look at issues like harmonising regulations and standards and resolving disputes, if any arises. "And these are important facets of GCCs and modern FTAs will lead to the innovation corridor, which will facilitate GCCs in India," he said. The new trade agreements, Barthwal said, are addressing a whole gamut of issues, which could be one of the reasons why negotiations of these pacts take time to conclude. "In the FTA with the UK, there is a chapter on innovation, which was not the case earlier," he added.
India's Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with other countries will not impact prices of luxury cars in India, according to Mercedes-Benz India. The German luxury carmaker stated that across automakers operating the country, luxury cars are majorly manufactured in India. "We have always encouraged free trade. We are looking forward to the EU-India FTA and even the India-UK FTA; they surely drive the economic growth of the country, for the segments. As a large multinational operating in multiple geographies, we have always advocated free trade and we continue to do that. There are expectations that ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 14 (ANI): India must stay firm and avoid trading away its core sectors, especially agriculture, despite increasing pressure from the United States under President Donald Trump administration, according to a report by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). The report warned that entering into a trade agreement under duress could lead to irreversible consequences, particularly when such deals may not survive a change in the US political landscape. India should stay the course and avoid trading away core sectors like agriculture. A hasty deal under pressure could h ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): India's export status is expected to remain unchanged, as the trade data indicates strong growth opportunities in selected key product categories, according to the quarterly trade watch by government think tank, NITI Aayog. "The data suggests strong growth opportunities in targeted product categories while highlighting areas where India's export status is expected to remain unchanged," the report added. Also Read | Female Planet Warriors - Committed to Sustainable Futures Through Aura Farming. NITI Aayog further stated that India stands to gain a significan ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) YouTuber Samay Raina appeared before the National Commission for Women (NCW) in Delhi on Tuesday, months after he was summoned in connection with allegedly offensive and sexist content aired during his show "India's Got Latent", officials said. Raina was also among the five social media influencers who appeared before the Supreme Court in a case seeking action against them for ridiculing persons suffering from disabilities. Raina submitted his statement in response to the allegations to NCW officials. Officials said further steps will be considered after reviewing his ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Trade talks between India and the US appear to be back on track, as President Donald Trump hinted that a "very big" agreement with India will be forthcoming soon. In a presser at the White House, Trump said, "Everybody wants to make a deal and have a part of it. Remember a few months ago, the press was saying, 'You really have anybody of any interest? Well, we just signed with China yesterday. We are having some great deals. We have one coming up, maybe with India. Very big one. Where we're going to open up India, in the China deal, we are starting to open up China.""We're not going ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 5 (UNI) Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, today took a swipe at the Modi government over the ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, alleging that the Prime Minister will "meekly bow" to the pressure from US President Donald Trump's tariff deadline. "Piyush Goyal can beat his chest all he wants, mark my words, Modi will meekly bow to the Trump tariff deadline," Gandhi wrote on X, targeting the Union Commerce and Industry Minister. Notably, Goyal had reiterated India's steadfast approach to international trade, stressing that the country negotiate ...Read More >
New Delhi: In a move to mutually protect and promote investments in each other's countries, India is actively negotiating bilateral investment treaties (BITs) with over a dozen countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Israel, Oman, European Union, Switzerland, Russia, and Australia. Apart from these nations, talks are also underway with Tajikistan, Cambodia, Uruguay, Maldives, Switzerland and Kuwait, according to a source. Amid uncertainties over US President Donal Trump's reciprocal tariff, India is making its all-out efforts to remain in the fastest growing economy in the world. With India ...Read More >
New Delhi: In order to sort out issues involved in the 'disagreements' between India and the United States over duties for auto components, steel, pharma and farm goods, among others, the Indian team is expected to further visit Washington soon for trade talks. A delegation of senior officials has been assigned for this crucial visit. Though the visit dates have not yet been finalised, the team is likely to join the US team in a week or two, an official source said on Thursday. India is among the few other countries that are still negotiating a trade deal with Washington to clinch a 'favourab ...Read More >
New Delhi: An Indian commerce ministry team has reached Washington for another round of talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA), which will begin on Monday, an official said. Chief negotiator of India and special secretary in the department of commerce Rajesh Agrawal will join the team on Wednesday. The four-day talks will end on Thursday. India's deputy chief negotiator for the proposed BTA has reached Washington for the talks on the first phase of the BTA, the official said. The visit assumes significance as both sides have to iron out issues in sectors, like agriculture an ...Read More >
Economic think tank GTRI (Global Trade Research Initiative) says India must recognise that it is not alone in facing US pressure India should avoid rushing into a trade deal with the US that compromises core sectors like agriculture, experts on Sunday said, cautioning that Washington is not sparing even its key partners like the EU. The US has shot off letters to 24 countries and the European Union (EU) imposing tariffs that are as high as 50 per cent on Brazil. On its key trading partners like the EU and Mexico, 30 per cent duties have been proposed from August 1. Economic think tank GTRI ...Read More >
Mumbai: An Akasa Airlines flight, scheduled to depart from Mumbai to Delhi, on Monday collided with a BWFS cargo container vehicle during unloading operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The incident occurred at the airport at around 7.05 am, after the aircraft arrived from Bengaluru and was parked at bay A-7. According to reports, the vehicle, driven by Anil Uttekar, accidentally collided with the right-side wing of the aircraft, resulting in damage to both the wing and the container. ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jul 14: The rupee depreciated 12 paise to close at 85.92 against the US dollar on Monday due to a rise in global crude oil prices and a strengthening greenback against major currencies overseas. Foreign fund outflows and a delay in any breakthrough in the India-US trade deal further pressured the local unit, according to forex traders. At the interbank foreign exchange, the local unit opened at 85.96 and traded in a narrow range of 85.92-86.05 before settling at 85.92, down 12 paise from its previous close. During the session, the local unit depreciated to fall below the 86-level, b ...Read More >
Ahmedabad, June 27: Union Home Minister Amit Shah began his Gujarat visit on a spiritual note early Friday morning by participating in the Mangala Aarti at the historic Shri Jagannathji Temple in Jamalpur, Ahmedabad. The visit coincides with the auspicious occasion of the annual Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra, a major religious event that draws thousands of devotees every year. Arriving at the temple at 3:15 a.m., HM Shah joined in the sacred rituals and offered prayers to Mahaprabhu Jagannath. Sharing his experience on social media platform X, he posted, "On the sacred occasion of Rath Yatra, par ...Read More >
New Delhi: India could benefit from relatively lower US tariffs than many countries in the Asia Pacific, which would help India attract further investment flows and support its development as a global manufacturing hub, Moody's Ratings said on Thursday. The finalisation of a free trade agreement (FTA) with the UK in May and ongoing negotiations for a similar pact with the European Union are expected to further support such progress, it added. However, the ratings agency cautioned that the US' efforts to reshore certain manufacturing segments could challenge the extent to which India gains. ...Read More >
The US is reportedly working towards an interim trade deal with India, potentially setting tariffs below 20%, a favorable position compared to other Asian nations. This arrangement allows for continued negotiations, aiming to resolve outstanding issues before a broader agreement expected this fall. The US is working toward an interim trade deal with India that may reduce its proposed tariffs to below 20%, people familiar with the matter said, putting the South Asian nation in a favorable positio ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): India export status is expected to remain unchanged, as the trade data indicates strong growth opportunities in selected key product categories, according to the quarterly trade watch by government think tank, NITI Aayog. The data suggests strong growth opportunities in targeted product categories while highlighting areas where India export status is expected to remain unchanged, the report added. NITI Aayog further stated that India stands to gain a significant edge in the US export market, which highlights strong growth potential in key product categories ...Read More >
Amritsar (Punjab) [India], July 15 (ANI): The Golden Temple in Punjab's Amritsar received another bomb threat on Tuesday. The dog squad has been deployed at the Golden Temple premises as part of a security check. The holy site for Sikhs received a bomb threat via e-mail for the second consecutive day. Also Read | India Raises Pahalgam Terror Attack at SCO Meeting: EAM S Jaishankar Calls for 'Uncompromising Position' on Combatting Terrorism. Pratap Singh, Secretary of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), demanded strict action against the miscreants. Pratap Singh told reporte ...Read More >
New Delhi, May 26 (PTI) Alcoholic beverage maker's body CIABC has urged the government to adopt a phased reduction in import duties on liquor products under the proposed India-EU free trade agreement (FTA), while calling for strong safeguards to prevent misuse of trade concessions under the pact. In a submission to the commerce ministry, Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) has proposed slashing the effective customs (or import) duty on bottled products like wines and spirits from the current 150 per cent to 100 per cent immediately and then down to a resting customs d ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], May 29 (ANI): After a federal court of the United States struck down a reciprocal tariff announced by US President Donald Trump, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said that India should proceed cautiously in its ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with the US. A Manhattan-based federal court on May 28 struck down Trump's move to impose reciprocal tariffs on the trading partners of the US and ruled that he can't use emergency power to impose tariffs on foreign countries; it has to come from Congress. The order of the court determined that the tariffs, ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 30 (PTI) India has hardened its position on issues related to agriculture as negotiations with the US team in Washington have entered a crucial stage, an official said on Monday. The official also said that the stay of the Indian team, headed by special secretary in the department of commerce Rajesh Agrawal, is expected to be extended further. The team is in Washington for negotiations on an interim trade agreement with the US. Both sides are rushing to close a deal ahead of the July 9 deadline for the full implementation of a 26 per cent reciprocal tariff which has been suspe ...Read More >
Bengaluru, Jul 5 (PTI) Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday said India negotiates from a position of strength and not under deadlines. He accused the Congress of "negotiating and signing agreements that were not in the national interest" during the UPA government's tenure. His remarks come a day after Goyal stated that India would accept a proposed trade deal with the US only when it is fully finalised and in the national interest. Speaking to reporters here, Goyal said, "India does not negotiate under deadlines. We negotiate keeping national interest in mind, and national inter ...Read More >
Bengaluru, Jul 5 (PTI) With the Congress mocking the BJP-led NDA government over the proposed trade deal with the US, Union minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday said India negotiates from a position of strength and not under deadlines. He also accused the Congress of "negotiating and signing agreements that were not in the national interest" during that party-led UPA government's tenure. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi had attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Indo-US trade deal, claiming the PM will "meekly bow" to the tariff deadline set by President Trump adminis ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said he had a productive meeting with Tzafrul Aziz, Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, during which he discussed the ongoing review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA). "Looking forward to fast-tracking discussions with ASEAN member states to ensure fair trade and balanced growth," Piyush Goyal said in a post on X. "We also held discussions on the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between both countries," the minister further stated. Malaysia is India's perman ...Read More >
NEW DELHI, June 5 (Reuters) - Indian and U.S. are holding high-level talks this week, aiming to finalise tariff cuts in sectors such as farm and automobiles as part of an interim deal, two government sources said, with an announcement likely later this month. A U.S. delegation led by senior officials from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) began closed-door, two-day discussions in New Delhi on Thursday with Indian trade officials headed by chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 1 (ANI): Union Minister of State for Textiles and External Affairs Pabitra Margherita inaugurated the 73rd edition of India International Garment Fair (IIGF) on Tuesday. The inauguration took place in the presence of Chairman AEPC Sudhir Sekhri, prominent industry leaders and a large number of international buyers and exhibitors. Delivering his inaugural address, Margherita said, '73rd edition of the India International Garment Fair (IIGF) is Asia's largest and most dynamic garment fair. This fair is not just a showcase of fabrics and fashion; it is a celebration of t ...Read More >
India prioritizes mutual benefits and national interests over deadlines in trade agreements, according to Minister Piyush Goyal. He emphasized fairness and a win-win approach, especially with the US, amidst looming reciprocal tariffs. While negotiations continue with the US, EU, and other nations, India remains firm on securing favorable terms before finalizing any deals.Days ahead of the US' July 9 deadline for reciprocal tariffs, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said India ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 14 (ANI): India must stay firm and avoid trading away its core sectors, especially agriculture, despite increasing pressure from the United States under President Donald Trump's administration, according to a report by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). The report warned that entering into a trade agreement under duress could lead to 'irreversible consequences,' particularly when such deals may not survive a change in the US political landscape. 'India should stay the course and avoid trading away core sectors like agriculture. A hasty deal under pressure co ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 14 (PTI) The negotiations between India and the US for a proposed trade agreement are going at a fast pace, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday. The Indian team has reached Washington for the next round of talks on the first tranche of the bilateral trade agreement. Also Read | Prime Minister Narendra Modi Condoles Demise of Kota Srinivasa Rao Garu, Remembers Actor-Politician's 'Cinematic Brilliance' and 'Social Service' (See Post). "Negotiations are going on at a very fast pace and in the spirit of mutual cooperation so that we can come out with a win- ...Read More >
New Delhi: Negotiations with the US are going at a "very fast pace and in the spirit of mutual cooperation" to come out with a win-win trade complementing agreement, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said Monday. His statement came amid Indian trade negotiators reaching Washington for another round of talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA), which will begin Monday, an official said. The four-day talks are likely to be held on all 19 chapters of the trade pact. Speaking on the sidelines of an event on One District One Product event, Goyal also said New Delhi will cont ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) The coming months will be crucial for India's global trade relations, as the government intensifies negotiations with major partners such as the European Union (EU), the United States, and the ASEAN bloc, officials from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Tuesday. During a press briefing, Special Secretary Satya Srinivas said that significant progress has been made in some talks, while others are moving more slowly than expected. "The 12th round of negotiations with the EU was held last week and was very productive," Srinivas stated. He said bot ...Read More >